What I'm Reading Monday - Last Summer

This past week I still managed to do some major reading even while out of town on vacation!

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I started and finished Last Summer (Of You & Me) by Ann Brashares.  It was quite funny that I picked that book to bring to New York as part of it was set in New York.  The story was about two sisters and their best friend.  It explores their adult relationships while looking into their joined past.  I enjoyed the story very much and felt a stronger connection due to the fact that I was in the city the story was partially set in.

I am getting farther and farther through this book and I am really enjoying it.  I still can't imagine being in the situation these characters are in.  I keep finding myself yelling at the car window because of something that happens or is said in the book.  I am sure that I look like a crazy person during those moments especially if there isn't any bad traffic around.

I did a bit of reading of Lola this week before we headed out for vacation on Thursday.  I am still enjoying it and can't wait to get back to reading since I didn't bring it with me on vacation.  Since it isn't my book I didn't want to lose or damage it.

I was able to read a few chapters of Undercover in High Heels.  Still can't seem to find a good time to just read read read to finally get it finished.  It is getting good though so maybe I can find time this week.

I am looking forward to being home and having time to do some more reading.

Pinterest Pick - Closet Organization Dreams

In checking around Pinterest this week I found lots of things to pin (like always).  However, this one stood out.

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The original blog the pin was from is Erica's blog.  She seems to have other organization ideas and tricks to save money.

Basically her idea (that she was prompted to recreate from another photo she saw) is to place shower hooks onto the closet rod.  Then you hang your purses on it!  You can see them all and it would make it very easy to decide on what purse to use.

This resonated with me because currently all of my purses are in a rubbermaid bin under my bed.  I hardly ever change what purse I am using simply because it is too difficult to get to my other purses.  The only problem I have with this fabulous idea is that my current closet is not large enough to hold anything else.

But I can dream to have space in the future...

Happy pinning!

Food Friday - Chick Pea Salad

This Food Friday is special.  I am sharing a recipe that I learned from my cousin while I was on my mini trip in May.

The Chick Pea Salad is so ridiculous easy and so very delicious.

The ingedients are a can of chick peas, grape tomatoes, green beans, and quinoa.  You will need the Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil.

You must wash the beans and tomatoes.  Strain and rinse the chick peas.

Steam those green beans (about 2-3 minutes because you want them to still be a little crispy).  I made the mistake of steaming the first batch for too long.  I got the second batch just right.

Once the beans are steamed, cut them in 1/2 or to whatever size is prefered.

Cut the tomatoes in 1/2.

Place the chick peas, green beans, and tomatoes into a bowl.

Mix in just a little bit of the balsamic and olive oil.  Then you are ready to go!

If you want to get more out of it, cook and add in the quinoa to make it more filling.  I just added the quiona onto my plate for dinner.

Please try it I bet you'll like it too.

And a big thanks to Malanie for sharing the recipe with me!

Left Over Fabric Trick #1

The final item I made for Jackie's babe was a result of having left over jungle fabric from the shirt and blanket we made.  It was the perfect size for something that rhymes with willow. :)

When Jackie and I initially talked about using the extra fabric to make a pillow I thought just a plain edges pillow.  Nope she had other ideas.

The process started very similar to how I made the blanket.  Right sides together, organize, and then pin the ribbons.  We put them in the same pattern as the taggie blanket we made.

When I sewed it closed I made sure to sew it twice.  Since we were going to stuff it I wanted to make sure that the edges wouldn't bust open.  If you look closely you can see the light blue and the light purple threads.

Then it was time for ironing.  I wanted the pillow to be nice and de-wrinkled before the stuffing got in there.

 

 We made a special trip to pick up the stuffing because we didn't plan to make a pillow in the first place.

 

Stuff, stuff, stuff.  We used about half of the bag by the time we were satisfied with it's fluffyness.

How did I stuff it you ask?  Why with a chopstick of course!

I asked how she wanted it closed and she just wanted it closed well.  Unfortunately I kinda did a messy job, but she didn't seem to mind it.

All completely finished and ready for some sleepy times with the little man!!

We got him all dressed (as you  have seen before and here) and showed him the new pillow.

We tried to get him to take a nap on it...

But he passed out on his blanket instead.

So if you ever have left over fabric from a blanket, try to make a little pillow to match!

Gluten-Free Food Review - Pine 22

Not only is it a Gluten-Free Food Review, it is a gluten-free food review from a meal at a restaurant!!!

A few weeks ago, a group of us were chilling downtown.  After much chit chat and several of these

 we decided it was time for some grub.

A couple in our group knew of a burger place just right around the corner called Pine 22.  Due to the fact the place was on Pine Street #22.  Clever?  Yes, I agree.

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It was very cute inside.  It is a build your own burger place... I was completely overwhelmed...

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I am not the best when I have to make a decision.  And this menu made it 100 times harder.  I mean there were things I knew I didn't want, but still there were sooooo many choices!  Oh and this is only one side of the menu!!

Once I had decided to go with the lettuce bowl someone mentioned the sign in front of them said they now had gluten-free buns.  Choice now = 1000 times harder.  My dilemma: Do I go with the g/f and maybe it taste horrible or do I go for the safe choice and go with the lettuce?

My bf and the order taker helped me decide to pick the bun.  I was nervous.  Would it be millet based and hard?  Would it be more like Udi's and softer?

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised!

The bun was soft and squishy and cut very easily.  It did not taste bad at all!  I wolfed it down (I almost forgot to take a picture!) and wished I could have another one without busting my tummy.

The bun reminded me very much of a bun I had had long long long ago.  I did a quick little search and I couldn't find the brand that I am thinking off.

If you are in the Orlando area and need a gluten-free option, Pine 22 is a must stop.

Makes me want to go and have one right now!!

Happy Birthday to the Best Momma!

Today is my Momma's birthday!  I already called her to wish her a happy birthday but I figured it would be fun to do it on here too.

I pulled together a few more pictures of her to share.

At my Master's Graduation

Playing around in the car on the way somewhere.

With her sisters and my sisters... yes I am missing from that picture :(

You all should remember this next picture.   I couldn't resist!

I love her very much and hopes she had a fabulous day!!!

What I'm Reading Monday - Split

My reading from last week doesn't leave much for me to report.

I finished listening to Half Brother.  I loved it!  I was very satisfied with how the story ended and I can't wait to talk about it with Kellee!!  Oh one thing I didn't like was that the first and last tracks were recordings either telling me it was the end of that CD or recapping the last minute or so of the previous CD.  Annoying!

My next audiobook choice was Split by Swati Avasthi.  I am a few discs in and I am enjoying it.  I am curious what will happen and it is keeping me guessing as to what will happen next.  It is a book that is making me think about what I would do if I was placed in a situation like the main character, Jace.

Yes, I am still reading Lola and the Boy Next Door.  I do have to say that I am making a point to get into bed a little earlier than normal so that I can read a chapter or two.  It is part of my new routine I am trying to develop.  I am liking the turn of events I have encountered in the last few chapters I have read.  I can feel the tug and pull that Lola is experiencing and although I have never experienced that I can definitely understand it.

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I am reading another book on my iphone.  Undercover in High Heels by Gemma Halliday.  I have read the first two books in this series and enjoyed them.  I just find it very difficult to read on my iphone between it being small and back lit like a computer screen.  I probably am a 1/3 through it.

Not sure how much reading I will be going since I have super fun plans for this weekend. :)